BY JUSTIN POOLE
The City of Auburn is clarifying the current land use map and is getting a new zoning district. The city council met Thursday to hold a public hearing on the zoning map correction as well as other proposed zoning issues.

Other matters in the public hearing included, the change to the legend of the land use map, eliminating the non-zoning references to the zoning map, the new district for Planned Suburban Village, revisions to Chapter 17 of the city’s zoning ordinances and the tree ordinance.

While most of the issues were explained without questions or comments, the matter of the tree ordinance did require further explanation from city planner Larry Lucas.

Lucas explained that the tree ordinance required a survey to be completed on the property taking an account of the size and species of trees. Once the survey was completed, a protection plan would be created that maintained 100 units per acre. The units are derived from a scale where diameter in inches is equal to a number of units, for example, a four-inch tree is worth six units, and a tree with a diameter of 50 inches or more is worth 100 units.

In cases where the property cannot maintain 100 units worth of trees, the ordinance has a replacement plan. The replacement plan requires that developers pay into a tree bank a fee per tree for those that cannot be safely maintained on the property. The money accumulated in the tree bank will only be used to plant trees in more suitable locations.

COUNCIL MEETING

The regular city council meeting was held after the public hearing. During Thursday’s meeting, the council took the following action:

•approved the tree ordinance.

•approved the increase of $20 on traffic fines to cover the cost of fuel.

•approved the modifications to the EPD Outdoor Watering Ban for Level 4A, allowing for odd/even watering one day per week between midnight and 10 a.m. As the wording was unclear to the council, residents should contact the city before proceeding with outdoor watering.

•approved the appointment of Rick Langley to fill the open position on the Zoning Board of Appeals. During the vote Peggy Langley abstained.

•approved the Hwy. 8 resolution that will work on beatification along the road.

•approved the amendment to the land use map changing the legend on the map.

•approved the adoption of the Planned Suburban Village (PSV) zoning district.

•approved the modifications and corrections to the zoning ordinance.

•approved the elimination of non-zoning references present on the zoning map.

•approved various used and outdated computer equipment as surplus.

•approved the 457b deferred compensation plan for city employees, the plan is similar to a 401k.

•met in a closed session for 20 minutes to discuss property acquisition, no action was taken once the meeting was reopened.

•tabled the following matters until the September meeting – the public hearing for the annexation of Auburn Station, proposed adoption of the annexation, proposed assignment of PSV to the annexed property, proposed renovations to the current city hall, courtroom and old library.

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